Fluid applicator package



Filed Feb. 2, 1962 llrlflrlllrf 3,082,468 FLUTE) APPLECATUR PAQKAGE Benjamin Wattles, 4 )Fairview Road, Canton, Mass. Filed Feb. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 170,737 1 Claim. (Cl. 15-506) While this invention relates particularly to disposable shoe polish applicators it is useful in spreading any kind of liquid, cream or other iiuid such as shaving cream, hair dye, cuticle softener, shaving lotion, disinfectant, etc.

Objects of the invention are to provide an applicator which is simple and compact, which can be produced rapidly and economically with standard machinery, which is substantially leakproof, which can be opened easily and quickly, which does not drip when opened, which fits the hand in use, which spreads polish or other fluid quickly and uniformly, and which protects the lingers from contact with the fluid.

According to this invention the applicator comprises two superposed layers of non-absorbent material such as aluminum foil interconnected around their penipheries with adhesive to form a closed container, in combination with a iiat swab and iiuid in the container, the aforesaid material being tearable across the swab portion to expose one edge of the swab, the swab being sealed to the container adjacent its opposite edge, being compressed transversely of the aforesaid sides and being expansible when the package is opened, and the amount of the fluid being less than the swab can absorb when expanded so that the swab does not drip in use. The swab is compressed either transversely of the aforesaid layers or transversely of the aforesaid edges or both. While the compression may be eiected at the time the swab is enclosed in the container, preferably the swab is precompressed. The aforesaid layers may be interconnected at a fold along the edge of the container through which the swab protrudes in use. The swab may also taper away from its protruding edge so that the package lits the hand in use while providing an applicating surface of substantial width.

For the purpose of illustration a typical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a package;

FIG. 2 is a section on line 12-12 of FG. 1;

FLG. 3 is a view like FIG. 1 after the tear filament has been removed;

FIG. 4 is a similar view after the end of the swab has been projected; and

FiG. 5 is a central section of the package showing the swab projected and in use.

3,082,4@8 Patented Mar. 26,l 1 953 The applicator comprises two superposed layers 22 and 23 corresponding to layers 2 and 3 of my Patent No. 3,035,300 granted May 22, 1962. As in the rst embodiment the two layers may be formed from a ribbon folded down the middle. Whether folded or made of two pieces the margins of the layers are cemented together throughout the entire periphery of the package. Disposed between the two layers is a swab 24 which is preferably cemented to each of the layers as indicated at 25 and 26. Extending across the package between the layer 22 and the swab 24 is a tear iilament 27 one end of which is anchored between the two layers 22 and 23 at the righthand margin (FIG. 11) and the other end of which is fast to a tab 2S which comprises circular portions cut from the two layers 22 and 23 with the end of the iilament cemented therebetween. After the lament is torn out the package is in the condition shown in FIG. 3 so that the upper end of the swab 24 may be projected through the slit as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this condition the upper end of the package projects beyond the end of the swab so that in applying the swab to an article 29 the Clingers are protected from contact with the fluid in the swab.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

An applicator comprising two superposed layers of non-absorbent material interconnected around their peripheries to form a closed container with a marginal portion consisting of the two layers cemented together face to face, a at swab and fluid in the container, and a tear lament between `the swab and one of said layers, said marginal portion being cut to form a tab and one end of the filament being anchored in said tab so that said one layer may be torn by pulling on the tab, said tab being located wholly within said peripheries so as not to project beyond the edge of the applicator.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,101,072 Kingman Dec. 7, 1937 2,102,858 Schlumbohm Dec. 21, 1937 2,621,784 Boytham Dec. 16, 1952 2,888,133 Betteridge May 26, 1959 2,980,940 Crowe Apr. 24, 1961 

